Notwithstanding directives of the police and the courts, organisers and punters from East and West Godavari districts argue that conducting cockfights is not a crime, but continuing the cultural heritage of the region.
Like every year, arrangements are in place on a grand scale to conduct the fights in different parts of the district with huge stakes. Though the issue of cockfights hits the headlines a month ahead of the harvest festival Sankranti, preparations are made throughout the year. Some families are dedicated to the rearing of birds, which will be trained as roosters during the season.
‘Kukkuta Sastramu,’ an age-old book, re-printed time and again by the local printing presses, is widely available at the makeshift bookstalls arranged at the venues of folk festivals. Considered to be the almanac of fighting cocks, this book is a hot favourite of organisers and punters alike.
Special treatment
Birds being reared for cockfights enjoy many privileges. Normally, the poultry birds are fed with food wastes and grains, but these birds are given roasted cashewnut and almonds. Since body weight and health of the birds play a key role in their victory in the arena, special care is taken to ensure that they put on the prescribed weight. They also are made to undergo regular physical exercise such as running and flying. Once the bird gains the confidence of its owner, liquor in small quantities is added to the menu.
Needless to say, premier brands are used. The quantity is gradually increased and the birds are fed with liquor before entering the arena. The diet part, however, is not available in the written form, but passed on to the generations in certain families.
Mock fights are conducted to test the stamina of the rooster every now and then and changes made in the menu accordingly.
Going by the book
From laying the foundation pillar to the cockfight arena to leaving the roosters for the fight, the organisers follow a good number of sentiments. They prefer not to go beyond ‘Kukkuta Sastramu.’ The book distinguished 27 varieties in fighting cocks basing on the combinations and permutations of the shades of their quills. Certain birds are considered to be more powerful on certain days of the week. There is no compromise with regard to the ‘vaastu’ while putting up pandals and arenas and ‘muhurtam’ is crucial for the commencement of each round of fight.
The organisers pull out all stops to provide comforts to the punters. It is learnt that ‘star hotel- like’ facilities are available at over a dozen venues in the twin Godavari districts, where the minimum stake is lakhs of rupees. Big screens are arranged and running commentaries by the ‘experts’ are aired along with the live streaming. Serving liquor and dishing out delicious food varieties is a common practice. The facilities, however, vary depending on the quantum of stakes.
Loser in limelight
Winners hog the limelight in any other competition, but here, the loser is the cynosure of all eyes and the punters and the public vie to own it at any ‘cost.’
Called ‘kosa’ in the local parlance, the bird that has lost the fight is put up for auction by its owner. The successful bidder makes the payment in cash.
What anyone can do with a rooster that lost the battle? The answer is simple, it is offered as a delicacy to guests during festival days. Those inviting sons-in-law for Sankranti will not serve a meal without a dish made of ‘kosa.’
Some traders, keen on making a quick buck, claim normal birds as ‘kosa’ by inflicting injuries on them and sell them at higher prices.
